Upstate Update - Week 7

By D3soccer.com Contributor

The Upstate Update brings you up to speed on Division III men's soccer in the "Upstate" New York region, home to the SUNYAC, Liberty League, and Empire 8. Several key matches will be recapped each week along with a more in-depth look at a Game of the Week.

Game of the Week

Fredonia State at Cortland State

The SUNYAC continues to impress as the teams are collectively making a case to the NCAA selection committee to keep the conference in mind come November. Two of those teams, Fredonia State and Cortland State met this past weekend with an eye on the regular season SUNYAC crown.

The season thus far

Cortland State had already battled Oneonta State to a tie earlier in the season and entered the game on a ten-game unbeaten streak. A win would further bolster the credentials of a Red Dragon squad that has impressed all season. Fredonia has enjoyed a season most teams wish for: a solid year while flying under everyone’s radar. While conference mates Oneonta and Cortland have stolen the headlines, the Blue Devils had amassed an 8-1-3 record while remaining unbeaten in the tough SUNYAC.

Game On

In what seems to be a recurring theme, Cortland dominated the opposition early in the game. Junior Robby Reiser scored his fifth goal of the year to help Cortland to a 2-0 lead at the half. The game remained unchanged until the 76th minute when Fredonia struck to make it 2-1. Cortland would rebound to score two goals in the final four minutes of play to put the game out of reach.

Take Away

Fredonia (8-2-3/2-1-2) will be disappointed in the score line but should take heart from playing a strong team to the wire. At 2-1-2 in conference play, this quality group will look ahead to a strong performance in the SUNYAC tournament. Cortland (10-2-1/5-0-1) will be surprising no one come November; the Red Dragons have dancing on their minds as they gather another quality win against a strong opponent.

Around the Region

Brockport State 0, Geneseo State 0 (2OT) - Geneseo State (7-5-2/2-2-1) has had some heart breaking results this year and are a better team than their record suggests. A strong finish to the regular season in preparation for the SUNYAC tournament is now the mindset for this group. Brockport State (7-1-5/2-1-1) earns its fifth tie of the season in addition to three games won in overtime. An inability to separate from their opponents could cost this team a possible at-large bid should they fail to take the SUNYAC crown.

Oneonta State 3, Plattsburgh State 0 - Plattsburgh State’s (7-6-1/2-3-0) recent good run of form came to an end against the sizzling hot Oneonta State (11-0-2/5-0-1). The Plattsburgh program has the tradition and mentality necessary to understand that a few wins in the conference tournament can still purchase a ticket to the dance. Oneonta’s biggest problem remains the fact that no one will take them lightly for the rest of the year.

Stevens 3, Elmira 0 - The Stevens Ducks (8-3-1/4-0-0) have stopped treading water and are beginning to fly. Elmira (0-9-2/0-4-0) should be credited for their bravery and strong strength of schedule.

Ithaca 1, Utica 0 - Ithaca (3-6-2/3-1-0) knows what it means to make wins count, as all three victories have come in conference play. Utica (4-6-3/2-2-0) sits in the middle of the Empire 8 standings which boast just two team with overall records above .500.

Skidmore 2, Clarkson 1 - Skidmore (7-4-2/1-2-0) seniors refuse to go silently into the night. The best class in recent history would love to lead the program to a Liberty League tournament crown before they go, but they first must overtake RIT and Hobart for the fourth and final spot. Clarkson (6-7-1/1-3-0) still has hope but must now run the table and dream of favorable results elsewhere if they hope to qualify.

RPI 1, Union 0 - RPI (8-2-2/3-1-0) has now all but booked home field advantage in the first round of the four-team conference playoff, and now looks to get ready for post-season play. Union (4-6-1/1-3-0) loses its third consecutive league game by a 1-0 score line in heartbreaking fashion.

St. Lawrence 3, Rochester Tech 1 - St. Lawrence (10-2-0/4-0-0) is adjusting into post-season form just in time for a visit from dangerous Vassar who are also perfect in conference play. Junior All-American Harry Copeland leads the Saints in scoring with six goals while also leading a back line that continues to improve. RIT (4-8-1/2-2-0) will be battling the rest of the way for a chance to travel in the conference tourney.

Teams of the Week

Cortland State and Skidmore

Don’t look now but the Cortland State Red Dragons are a regional powerhouse, and, like a true Thoroughbred, Skidmore is peaking at the right time.